Upper Iowa’s Chase Luensman parlays extra work and sacrifice into title opportunity at NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships

CEDAR RAPIDS — All the small things placed Chase Luensman on the big stage.

The process wasn’t easy, focusing on the details of his training, nutrition and recovery. The goal was to parlay those instances of discipline, discomfort and sacrifice into a golden opportunity.

The Upper Iowa senior reaped the rewards Saturday. Luensman defeated Central Oklahoma’s Ty Lucas to reach the 165-pound title match of the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships at Alliant Energy PowerHouse. He was one of three Peacock All-Americans and became their first national finalist since 2018.

“When you do all the little things right and it all comes together, your capability is endless,” Luensman said after his 8-2 decision over Lucas. “When you diminish all fear and just trust yourself, your training and coaches, you can accomplish absolutely anything.”

The last year has included a lot of extras. Many mornings, additional lifting and more repetitions in the wrestling room. The attention to details including eating to fuel his body and braving ice baths to help physically.

“For me, it’s taken just about everything,” Luensman said. “It’s taken waking up early every day. It’s taken weight room sessions when I hadn’t wanted to. It’s taken extra practices when I hadn’t wanted to.

“It’s tracking what I am and not putting in my body each and every meal. It’s been everything for me.”

Don’t be mistaken. Those elements were always there, leading to three NCAA tournament appearances and a National Wrestling Coaches Association All-America honor in 2020 when the finals were canceled. Upper Iowa Coach Heath Grimm said Luensman has just enhanced aspects on and off the mat.

“It’s a critical component for anyone compete at the level he’s competing for a national championship,” Grimm said. “Just upping that really solid game into an elite game.

“He’s Mr. Nutrition. He’s going to get the sleep that he needs and get the proper rest. He’s going to stick around and get extra reps in at practice. He’s usually one of the last guys to go out of the room every day.”

Strong family support has helped Luensman power through times when he considered straying from his routine. His dad, Dom, and Luensman’s uncles have been a big influence on his wrestling career. They were in the stands in full force, cheering and celebrating after Luensman reached the final.

“My mind is the way it is because of my dad and because of my uncles,” said Luensman, a former Monticello prep. “They raised me to strive to be the best and their endless support each and every day of my life has been the greatest experience of my entire life.

“I know they are crazy proud. They are excited for what is to come.”

Luensman returned to the national tournament after a year hiatus. He has controlled foes through the first three rounds. Luensman outscored opponents 25-9 through the semifinals, surrendering seven escapes. He owned a 9-1 advantage in takedowns, including two against Lucas.

“We call him the machine for a reason because that’s what he does,” Grimm said. “He works. He is non-stop work as soon as he hits start. His hands and feet are moving. He’s looking to attack. It’s his pressure and pace. It is tiring to wrestle him.”

Tate Murty (141) and Colter Bye (184) each placed eighth for the Peacocks. Murty claimed his second All-America honor in three seasons, while Bye was an All-American in his NCAA debut. Grimm was not content with getting three of four qualifiers on the awards stand.

“We wanted more guys here so we had more of a team focus,” Grimm said. “With the four here, it became an individualized effort to get four guys on the podium. We didn’t meet that, so we got three of the four.

“Team-wise, we’re not satisfied. Individually, getting three of the four on the podium is the second-best thing than getting all four.”

The semifinals were not kind to some NCAA champions. Augustana (S.D.) University’s Jaxson Rohman beat West Liberty (W.Va.) University’s two-time defending national champion Cole Laya, 4-3, in the 125 semifinals.

“It’s crazy,” Rohman said about the win. “Coming here, that was the goal. Get to the finals and become a natty champ. It’s cool to see my goals become a reality.”

Rohman relied on a move that resulted in most of his pins in high school. A derivative of a cowcatcher or gator roll, Laya fought it but Rohman turned it into a late takedown and ride out to win.

“Once I got around there I held on as long as I could,” Rohman said. “I waited for time to run out.

“It was awesome. We have so many fans here. It was so cool to see all the support for me and my teammates.”

Two weights later, Lake Erie’s Christian Small dropped Lander (S.C.) University’s defending champ and top-seeded Zeth Brower, 8-6, to reach the 141 final.

Central Oklahoma had the team race locked up before the finals. The Bronchos had two finalists in 197-pounder Dalton Abney and heavyweight Shawn Streck, leading nine UCO placewinners. The Bronchos won their 16th national team title and first since 2007.

“It's long overdue,” UCO Coach Todd Steidley told the school’s sports information department. “Our guys have really, really worked hard and it hasn't sunk in yet. We're all so excited and we still have two big matches tonight in the championship finals.

“I'm so proud of our guys and not just the 10 guys who wrestled here. It's all the guys in our room, the UCO community, the booster club. It doesn't just happen with 10 guys, it takes a team and a family and that's what we preach and that's what we are.”

Lander was locked into a runner-up performance, tallying six All-Americans including 184 finalist Logan Hall.